Achnahanaid and the Braes region of the Isle of Skye
This area is particularly suited to those who love the hills, wildlife, bird-life, fishing, canoeing, golf or complete relaxation. It is also a wonderfully romantic place for honeymooners.
The sandy Braes beach at Balmeanach is a spit of land jutting out into the narrows of Raasay. and is only a walk of quarter of a mile from the cottage.
You may well spot porpoise, dolphins and otters, not to mention plover, fulmars and oystercatchers.
Also look out for the spotted orchid, sundew and butterwort. If you are lucky, you might even observe a sea eagle soaring high overhead or a corncrake, a very rare and endangered bird.
Looking over towards to Raasay
Battle of the Braes
In 1882, the crofters in Braes by Portree on the Isle of Skye stopped paying rent until their demands for the return of common grazing land were met. Using the force of law, the landlord, Lord Macdonald, tried to evict them.
The Sherrif Officer was dispatched from Portree to evict the leading dissidents. He and his assistant were met by a mob of angry Braes folk who forced him to burn the eviction notices.
Subsequently a band of 50 Glasgow policemen were sent to Skye to quell the Braes rebellion. The ensuing "Battle of the Braes" was reported in the press and eventually Parliament passed laws giving crofters more security of tenure.
It is sometimes argued that the Battle of the Braes was the last battle fought on British soil (rather than Culloden in 1745).
The Braes, looking towards Loch Sligachan and the Cuillin.